Sweeper.



J. H. TOWNSEND.

SWEEPBR. APPLIGATION nun JUNE 12, 1013.

Patented July 28, 1914.

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J. H. TOWNSEND.

SWEEPER.

APPLIOATION FILED mm: 12. ms.

Patented July 28, 1914.

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JAMES HARRY rowivsnivn, or etovnnsvlmnnnw YORK.

simm- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 28, 1914.

Application filed June 12, 1913. Serial No. 773,194..

To allwlwm it ma yconcern."

Be it known that I, JAMES H. TOWNSEND, a citizen of the United Stat'es'residing at Gloversville, county of Fulton, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sweepers, of which the following is a specification."

The invention relates to such. improvements and consistsin thenovel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and subsequently claimed. A

Reference may be had to the accompany ing drawings, and the reference characters marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Similar characters refer to similar parts in the several figures therein.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a view in perspective showing my improved sweeper as in use. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the dust-pan removed. Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation of the sweeper with the dust-pan hanging freely from the brushshaft. Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of the sweeper as employed in sweeping steps. Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal section taken through the handle of the sweeper on the broken line 5-5 in Fig. 3.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple hand-operated sweeper which is readily portable and adapted for use in difierent positions.

Another object of the invention is to adapt the dust-pan to automatically assume a downward position relatively to its mouth as the sweeper is carried from place to place.

Referring to the drawings wherein the invention is shown in preferred form, 1 is a hollow handle shown of tapered form having at its larger end a bail, 2, whereby the device can be hung upon a hook or nail.

A cross-shaft, 3, is rotatably mounted within the larger portion of the handle and has a projecting crank-handle, 4, whereby the sh aft can be rotated by hand. A sprocketwheel, 5, is fixed upon the shaft, 3, and a sprocket-chain, 6, connects the sprocketwheel, 5, with a smaller sprocket-wheel, 7, located within the smaller end of the hollow handle, 1, fixed upon a cross-shaft, 8, which is rotatably mounted in said smaller end of the handle. The shaft, 8, forms the brushshaft, and extends at right angles from the smaller end of the handle, its outer end having a bearing in an L-shaped bracket, 9,

which projects from the handle, 1. A cylindrical brush, 10, is fixed upon the brushshaft, 8, to rotatetherewith.

The dust-pan,11,ismadetoflare in vertical section toward its mouth whereat it is provided on its 'ends with. open slotted bearings, 12, forming hooks, l3,"which hooks. are adapted to engage the brush-shaft at opposite ends of the brush "and hook'thereupon with the brush-shaft. loosely occupying the be rin The side,14;,of the pan toward which the bearings, 12, open is adapted to rest upon the fioor with its front edge, 15, in close contact with the floor just in rear of the brush, in which position it is adapted to receive the sweepings from the brush.

In sweeping a floor the sweeper is held in the position shown in Fig. 1 and the brush is rapidly rotated by means of the crank-handie, 1, and the intermediate driving-mechanism; and the sweeper is moved along the floor by the operator as desired. In carrying the sweeper from place to place, the operator simply lifts andcarries the device by means of the handle, 1, or the bracket, 9,

which may be used as a handle or grasp,

the dust-pan automatically dropping to the position shown in Fig. 3, so that the sweepings fall to the smaller end of the dust-pan pocket. When it is desired to empty the dust-pan, the hooks, 13, are disengaged from the brush-shaft, leaving the pan free to be carried away and dumped.

The side, 14, of the pan is preferably provided near its contracted end with a shoe, 16, adapted to engage the floor and. support the pan with the side of the pan, 14L, slightly inclined downward toward the mouth of the pan, so that the edge, 15, will come into close contact with the floor. The pan is also provided near its contracted end with a hinged hook, 17, adapted to engage the horizontal portion of the bracket, 9, as indicated in Fig. f to support the pan with its loottom surface, 14:, substantially parallel with the handle, 1, in which position it is adapted for sweeping steps, andthe pan is prevented from dropping as the device is moved from step to step.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is v 1. In a sweeper and in combination, a hollow handle; an L-shaped bracket mounted uponsaid handle near its lower end; a pair of cross-shafts rotatively mounted directly upon said handle, the lower, of said shafts projecting from oneside of the handle and having an end-bearing in said bracket; means to operatively connect said shafts; a

brush on said lower shaft between said handle and the bearing portion of said bracket; a dust-pan hung upon said lower shaft between said handle and the bearing portion of said bracket; and an operating handle for the upper shaft located exteriorly of the hollow handle.

2. In a sweeper and in combination, a handle; a brush-shaft projecting laterally from the handle; a dust-pan loosely hung upon the brush-shaft with its receiving edge presented forwardly; detachable means for supporting the dust-pan in a forwardly pointed direction with its bottom substantially parallel with the handle; a brush mounted on said shaft and exposed in advance of the dust-pan, and means for rotating the brush.

3. In a sweeper and in combination, a handle; a brush-shaftprojecting laterally from said handle; a brush on said brushshaft; means for rotating said brush-shaft; and a dust-pan having its ends adapted to embrace the brush and formed with hooks detachably engageable with the brush-shaft at opposite ends of the brush.

' In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of June, 1918.

JAMES HARRY TOWNSEND.

Witnesses:

H. CASE, C. B. GRAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. 0. 

